Airport lounge access with a guest in 2026Amex Platinum vs Sapphire Reserve vs Venture X vs Strata Elite

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What we'd do first: list the two or three airports you fly from most, then check which of these lounges are in your terminal. A generous guest policy is worth nothing if the lounge is in another terminal.

The guest rules, card by card

Amex Platinum (annual fee $895). At Centurion Lounges in the US, Amex charges a "$50 fee for each guest 18 and over" and "$30 for children aged 2-17"; under-2s are free with proof of age. Guests "must be traveling on the same flight as the Card Member". Platinum members "may qualify for Complimentary Guest Access for up to 2 complimentary guests per visit after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on your Card within the calendar year" (The Centurion Lounge: access policy, checked 13 Nov 2026, 22:14 Lima; fee from Amex Platinum card page, checked 22:13 Lima). Amex also lists Delta Sky Club visits and Priority Pass among its lounges; we didn't find its Priority Pass guest policy on the pages read, so check it in your account.

Chase Sapphire Reserve (annual fee $795; $195 per authorized user). Chase offers "complimentary access to every Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with up to two guests". For Priority Pass, "Primary cardmembers and authorized users on the account are granted complimentary access to the Priority Pass lounges and are allowed a maximum of two accompanying guests each. For any additional guests, your card will be charged $27 per guest, per visit" (Chase Sapphire Reserve and benefits page, checked 13 Nov 2026, 22:13 Lima). At Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, it's one guest, then "$59 USD at US lounges".

Capital One Venture X (annual fee $395). At Capital One Lounges and Landings, cardholders get "discounted pricing of $45 per visit per guest 18 and older and $25 per visit per guest 17 and under. Children under 2 can enter for free." Primary cardholders "that spend at least $75,000 total on purchases across their Venture X account per calendar year can bring up to 2 complimentary guests to Capital One Lounges and 1 complimentary guest to Capital One Landings per visit". Additional cardholders can get lounge access "for an annual lounge access fee of $125 per additional cardholder" (Capital One: airport lounges FAQ, checked 13 Nov 2026, 22:14 Lima). Capital One's pages we read don't state a Priority Pass guest price; check it in your Priority Pass app before relying on it.

Citi Strata Elite (annual fee $595). Citi says cardmembers can "Bring up to 2 guests per visit at no additional charge (additional guests are $35 per person)" at Priority Pass lounges, and that authorized users "receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership". It adds "4 annual Admirals Club Citi Strata Elite Passes" (Citi: Strata Elite and Priority Pass, checked 13 Nov 2026, 22:14 Lima; fee from Citi Strata Elite benefits, checked 22:18 Lima).

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What a couple pays per visit

Using the published prices above, for the cardholder plus one adult guest, per visit, without the $75,000 spending threshold:

• Amex Platinum at a Centurion Lounge: $50.
• Sapphire Reserve at a Sapphire Lounge or Priority Pass lounge: $0.
• Venture X at a Capital One Lounge: $45.
• Strata Elite at a Priority Pass lounge: $0.

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What a family of four pays per visit

Two adults and two children aged 8 and 12, one cardholder, using published prices:

Adding the second adult as an authorized user changes things. On Sapphire Reserve and Strata Elite, each authorized user can bring two guests to Priority Pass, so a family of four with one authorized user could enter free. On Venture X, a $125-a-year additional cardholder would get in, with each child still at $25 at Capital One Lounges. Check authorized-user fees and rules before adding anyone.

At four visits a year, the gap between $110 and $27 per visit is $332. That's a real number, but small next to the differences in annual fees, so pick the card for its whole package and use the guest rules as a tie-breaker.

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Lounges that won't let your guests in

Even with a generous policy, entry isn't guaranteed. Chase says "Access may be denied if the lounge is at capacity", Capital One says access "is subject to space availability", and Citi notes "Some lounges may not admit guests due to their own policies or capacity limitations". Centurion guests must be on your flight. Arrive with time to spare, and have a backup: a paid day pass, or a quiet gate area.

How to check before you travel

1. Find your lounge. Look up your departure terminal on the issuer's lounge finder or the Priority Pass app, and note opening hours.
2. Read the guest line for that lounge. Priority Pass listings can set their own guest limits; card-network lounges follow the issuer's policy above.
3. Count your party. Children count as guests at Centurion and Capital One lounges, at a lower price. Under-2s are free at both with proof of age.
4. Bring the right card. Amex says paid guest access must be paid with a physical American Express card, and Capital One asks for the physical card or its app pass.
5. Have a fallback. If the lounge is full, a day pass elsewhere or a restaurant near the gate may be the better plan.

Trade-offs

• Where the lounges are. Centurion, Sapphire and Capital One lounges are in a limited set of airports. Priority Pass is broader but varies more in quality.
• The $75,000 thresholds. They're designed for very high spenders. Don't change your spending to reach one.
• Authorized users. They can be cheaper than paying guest fees on Chase and Citi, but they cost money too ($195 per Sapphire Reserve authorized user, per Chase).
• Policies change. Guest rules have changed often. Re-check before you travel.

If none of these fits

If you fly a few times a year, paying for a day pass when you need one may cost less than any annual fee. Our UK guide to Heathrow lounges covers the same question for British travelers. To value the points side of a premium card, see our cents-per-point guide.

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Lounge guests: FAQs